Pope Francis to be discharged; recovering from Pneumonia

Pope Francis is heading home! After spending more than a week in Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital battling double pneumonia, the 88-year-old Pontiff will be discharged this Sunday and continue his recovery at his residence in the Vatican.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who’s been leading the Pope’s medical team, shared the update on Saturday evening, calling it the “good news the world has been waiting for.” According to him, the Pope’s condition has steadily improved, and his prognosis has officially been lifted—meaning he's well enough to go home.

So, what exactly happened? When Pope Francis was admitted on February 14, he was struggling with acute respiratory insufficiency due to a polymicrobial infection, which led to bilateral pneumonia (that’s pneumonia in both lungs). He needed a combination of medications to treat it, but thankfully, the treatment worked. While his health is improving, his doctors are clear: full recovery will take time.

That’s why the Pope has been prescribed at least two months of convalescence. He’ll be receiving ongoing medical care and, most importantly, resting—though knowing him, he won’t be able to sit still for too long!

Dr. Alfieri made it clear that, while Pope Francis is steadily getting better, he won’t be diving straight back into his usual packed schedule. Meetings and large gatherings are on pause for now. That said, the Pope has not been disconnected from the world—he’s been staying updated on church affairs, politics, and even continuing to work while in the hospital.

But for now, he’s just happy to be heading back to Casa Santa Marta, his residence in the Vatican. As his doctors put it, “the best way to recover is to do so at home.”

Wishing Pope Francis a smooth and restful recovery!